Clinton Township Criminal Background Check
Clinton Township background check records are accessible through the Clinton Township Police Department, Macomb County courts and sheriff, and the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Clinton Township is one of Michigan's largest townships and sits within Macomb County, where major criminal proceedings and county-level records are maintained.
Clinton Township Overview
Clinton Township Police Department Records
The Clinton Township Police Department handles incident reports, fingerprinting services, and FOIA records requests for the township. To request records or submit a FOIA request, contact the department through the Clinton Township official website. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442, applies to all public records requests from the township.
The township police handle local incident reports and background check assistance for residents. Major criminal proceedings, jail operations, and county-level law enforcement matters go through the Macomb County Sheriff's Office rather than the township police. The sheriff's office operates the county jail and handles larger-scale law enforcement for the county.
For criminal history searches, the department refers residents to the Michigan State Police ICHAT system at apps.michigan.gov/ichat. ICHAT covers all 83 Michigan counties for felony and serious misdemeanor records.
Macomb County Courts for Clinton Township
Clinton Township is in Macomb County, so felony cases and serious criminal matters go through Macomb County's court system. The 16th Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction for Macomb County and handles felony criminal cases, civil cases, and family court matters for all townships and cities in the county, including Clinton Township.
District courts handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil claims under $25,000 for Clinton Township. The relevant district court depends on the location of the incident. You can search Macomb County cases through the Michigan Courts online case search system. Enter a name or case number to find case details, docket entries, and hearing dates.
Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119(J), the public has the right to inspect court records in person during business hours at no charge. Copies carry a fee per page under MCL 15.234. Certified copies cost more than standard copies.
ICHAT Criminal History for Clinton Township
The Michigan State Police ICHAT system is the primary resource for background checks in Clinton Township. A search costs $10 per name and returns immediate results. ICHAT includes felony records and misdemeanor convictions punishable by more than 93 days from all 83 Michigan counties. You need the subject's full legal name and date of birth.
What ICHAT does not include: traffic records, juvenile records, local misdemeanors punishable by 93 days or less, suppressed or sealed records, federal criminal history, and records from other states. Each alias or prior name is a separate $10 charge.
The Michigan State Police records page covering ICHAT and other background check tools.
Go to michigan.gov/msp/services/chr to start a name-based search or learn about Livescan fingerprint checks.
FOIA Requests in Clinton Township
Clinton Township residents can submit FOIA requests to the Clinton Township Police Department, the township government, or Macomb County agencies. Michigan's 1976 PA 442 requires a response within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension with notice. Fees for copies follow MCL 15.234. Denied requests can be appealed within 180 days.
For Michigan State Police records, submit requests online at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia or email MSPRecords@Michigan.gov. Mail submissions go to Michigan State Police, Cashiers Unit, P.O. Box 30266, Lansing, MI 48909.
Macomb County Clerk's Office in Mt. Clemens handles county-level records requests including court filings and vital records. Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides on FOIA rights and the appeal process.
Michigan OTIS and Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS system at michigan.gov/corrections tracks current prisoners, parolees, and probationers in Michigan, plus those discharged within the past 3 years. Clinton Township residents can use OTIS to check whether someone is currently under Michigan state correctional supervision.
For sex offender searches in Clinton Township and Macomb County, the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at mipsor.state.mi.us lets you search by name, county, or proximity to an address. The registry shows compliance status and conviction details for each registered offender.
Michigan offender supervision and tracking database.
OTIS and the sex offender registry are the main public tools for checking corrections and offender status in Michigan.
Michigan Clean Slate and Record Sealing
Michigan's Clean Slate law, enacted in 2021 and expanded in 2023, provides for automatic sealing of certain convictions after 7 years for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies. First-time OWI violations also became eligible for set-aside under the new provisions. Sealing removes the conviction from public ICHAT results.
Clinton Township residents who want to petition for early expungement can get free guidance at Michigan Legal Help, michiganlegalhelp.org. Expungement petitions for Clinton Township cases go through the Macomb County 16th Circuit Court. The site has eligibility checkers and step-by-step guides to help you through the process.
Note: Even after sealing, law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records in their systems.
Macomb County and Nearby Cities
Clinton Township is in Macomb County. For county circuit court records, the Macomb County Clerk, and county resources, visit the Macomb County page. Nearby cities with background check pages include: